The Deal

PEACE ARCH
Street: Jan. 20
Prebook: Dec. 16
> Hollywood satire for the media savvy is a William H. Macy showcase.

Hollywood is good for a few lampoonings at its own expense each year. Add this adaptation of PeterLefcourt’s 1991 novel to the recent list, which includesTropic Thunder, What Just Happened? and The TV Set. William H. Macy, who also co-wrote and co-produced, plays down-and-out filmmaker Charlie Berns, who orchestrates a deal for an unread screenplay penned by his young nephew (Jason Ritter) about 19th century British diplomat Benjamin Disraeli. In no time, the script is turned into a $100 million film starring an African-American action star (LL Cool J) who recently converted to Judaism, while Charlie is romancing the no-nonsense studio executive (Meg Ryan) overseeing the project. Macy’s eminently likable scalawag is what makes The Deal click, even when some of the jabs at Tinseltown have the “been there, done that” feeling.

Shelf Talk: Despite the name cast, which also includes a funny Elliott Gould as LL Cool J’s rabbi, and heavy play at film festivals, The Deal had a tough time getting decent distribution in theaters. Though not a large draw, Macy’s name has helped smaller films such as The Cooler, Edmond and the similarly themed State and Main win audiences on the homefront, and Ryan still attracts interest, even in smaller-profile films such as In the Land of Women and My Mom’s New Boyfriend.